I‘m no expert when it comes to doodling, but I LOVE gawking at the doodle decorations I see on Instagram.
As a kid, I would watch Nickelodeon’s Nicktoons and draw all of the characters. At the time, I had no idea if my pictures were nice or not, but I remember liking them! And that’s all that really matters, right??? 😆
As with anything, getting better at doodling takes practice, practice, practice!!!
There are several spots online where you can find step-by-step tutorials on how to doodle certain things. I follow a bunch of these accounts on Instagram, and they make the whole process look so easy!
So in this post, I’m going to show you all my how-to inspirational resources to give you a ton of ideas and help you make your bullet journal look beautiful.
I’ll also show you my own simple process and a “Learn to Draw Patterns” video, so you can start decorating right away.
Sound good? Let the doodle journey begin, then leave a comment below!
Jump Links
My Doodling Process
My process is super simple. When you want to draw something specific:
- Google “SPECIFIC WORD doodle”.
- Check out the Google image results – they have SO many there, and these drawings look pretty manageable.
- Pick your favorite doodle art.
- Now, if you’re willing to cheat a bit, you can enlarge the photo on your phone, place it under your page, and roughly outline it (or you can just look at it, and draw it line-by-line with a pencil).
- Then once you’re happy with it – trace it!
Here are the Google images from when I doodled on a music page in my journal.
How-To Doodle Accounts
If you’re completely new to doodling (or to Instagram), you have GOT to check out these how-to accounts.
They’ll give you inspiration in no time, and they even have how-to posts that make it look so simple!
1. Liz at @bonjournal_
Liz at @bonjournal_ is your new favorite go-to for “how-to draw” Instagram posts. She shares simple, step-by-step tutorials pretty often and focuses mainly on floral illustrations!
She doesn’t rely on color to make her work stand, out – she simply uses a pen and a notebook, and the results are outstanding! Plus, she just started a YouTube channel, so check it out here!
2. Jennifer at @inkbyjeng
Jennifer (@inkbyjeng) is one of my first journal Insta-friends, and I am constantly impressed by her art (and her full line of journal products). Her journal style is minimal, yet functional, but she’s a fabulous artist too!
I love this lemon wedge tutorial she shared back in January! She has several like this throughout her feed, so give her a look! She is a must-follow for those looking for clean artistic journal art.
3. Christina at @my.life.in.a.bullet
Cristina (@my.life.in.a.bullet) is insanely impressive – and while she doesn’t specialize in “how-to” posts too often, maybe we can beg her to add a few more. 😉
Her Instagram feed is flawless with gorgeous journal pictures, and she’s started a YouTube channel that has skyrocketed in popularity because of her amazing Plan with Me videos! She makes it look so easy!
PRO TIP: Do YOU want to learn more about doodles? You have to check out this how-to MEGA GUIDE.
4. Amanda at @amandarachdoodles
If you haven’t checked out AmandaRachLee’s feed yet, you’re bound to find a TON of inspiration on both doodling and journaling.
She shares how-to posts every once in a while on her Instagram (@amandarachdoodles), but has an awesome YouTube channel that will help you in ALL of your creative journeys. She also has a ton of bullet journal set up videos… you could spend hours watching.
5. More How-To Notables
- Aimi @deskgraphy
- Kimi @kitoremi
- Mariana @bujototheminimal
- Annie @ajournalbyannie (number tutorials)
Learn to Draw Patterns
Have you tried to add patterns to your journal yet?
Watch this fun video to add some pattern flare to beautify your journal… even if you aren’t artistic.
Inspirational Favorites
There are TONS of inspirational doodle accounts out there, so I wish I could share them all, but these are a few that I’ve been following and love!
Let me know if you have any other favorites in the comments.
Click on a picture to head to the image on Instagram.
Book Recommendations
If you’re really wanting to up your doodling game, check these books out.
I was lucky enough to receive them from the artists, and they all include step by step how-to’s to help you from start to finish.
Once you get the hang of it, and with enough practice, you won’t need tutorials anymore!
Join a Doodle Challenge!
If you’re looking to practice your doodling – join in on a daily doodling challenge!
They’re usually themed for each month and have a particular hashtag related on Instagram so you can see others’ progress.
Here are some fun accounts to follow if you wanna get in on some doodle challenges:
- Oodles of Doodles from @the.petite.planner
- Doodle with Us from @alexandra_plans and @christina77star
- Draw with Me Challenge (@drawwithmechallenge).
- Oh so Cute Doodle Challenge from @ohsocutedesigns (#ohsocutedoodles)
Wrapping Up
I hope you found some inspiration to help you up your doodling game!
I also just ran across a whole online class on Doodling from Tara at Rad & Happy – if you’re serious about improving your doodling, a class is a great way to learn it all in one go.
I am LOVING online classes now-a-days, since you can learn ANYTHING right from my home. 🤓
Lastly, if you could PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know if you found this post helpful or if you have any brilliant doodle accounts to add to this list!
I love hearing your feedback, so say hello in the comments. 💕
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Just wanted to say thanks so much for this helpful post!! I’m just getting into bullet journaling and this all helps so much, so thank you!!
You’re most welcome Suzy. Thanks for choosing my little slice of the internet. 😊
This is very helpful! I purchased a book with cute kawaii doodles recently. The author is Pic Candle. I really love the way doodles look with black ink on white paper. Thanks for sharing these accounts.
Thanks for the suggestion Marlena!
Thanks for all the inspirational places to learn how to make my bujo more creative. I am working on my doodling so I don’t have “boring” pages lol.
Lol 😆. I’m sure your pages aren’t THAT boring. Besides adding doodles obviously, I also like trying random theme spreads to mix up my journal a bit.
I love the doodles. Want to incorporate that more into my journal.
They all look amazing can’t wait to start my own bujo
👍
I have loved your work from I can’t remember when! You are always so inspiring and I love that you also “push up” and support so many others in the journaling community! Lately, I’ve been wanting to add more doodling to my journal pages, so this post was super timely for me to run across. 🙂
Awe, thank you Barb. That made my day. I’ll keep adding posts to hopefully keep inspiring everyone. 🙂
I love this!!! I always love to doodle but I always seem to doodle the same thing over again because I never can think of what to do next.
Haha. I have the same problem Shaelynn — drawing the same doodle over and over. Hope these examples help.
Super helpful, and I love that you generously point us to other resources!
Glad to be of service Suzanne 😊
This was so helpful!
Such a great idea for when I run out of things to do doodle, always looking for inspiration! Thank you!
You’re welcome Charissa. Make sure to check out other blog posts — I usually link to a ton of free photo galleries for even more inspiration. Here’s a food gallery example.
I need some mindless doodle time! Thanks for the ideas!
Informative & interesting. I love to doodle & want to learn more new cool ones.
Thank you so much for taking the time to put all of this info in one place! Time to step up my doodle game 😂
Sure Valerie. If you share your doodles on social, be sure to let me know 😀
I love using doodles to add themes to my spreads! Thanks for sharing more inspirational accounts to learn from!!
Me too Priya! Theme spreads are where it’s at!
Gorgeous doodles! Is there any challenge that you would recommend specifically for beginners?
Hi Blanca. All the challenges listed above should be great for beginners. New challenges come up all the time too, so I would regularly search Instagram and Facebook for what’s out there! Hope that helps.
These are great. I’m going to try it!!
Go for it Lisa!
I want to get better!! I need more practice!
I love how doodles looks…now to try my own!
Great post, thanks for sharing!
Love the doodle challenge idea
These are great!
I’m so excited to try one of these flowers!
Thanks you so much for sharing this. looks very easy to draw.. Lets try tonight
Thanks so much for sharing your ideas and steps to execute great doodles. It is my favorite part about working in my bullet journal. 🙂
You’re most welcome Stephanie! Keep up the good work.
I love your blog! Didn’t know it existed until this contest. Can’t wait to discover more!
Thanks Monique. Enjoy the blog!
Thanks for sharing all the inspiration. Let the doodling begin!
I was already following a couple of these accounts but now I have so much more inspiration! 😊 thanks! ❤️
Thank YOU Ulyssa!
This is awesome!! Now I’ll soend the next 13 hours stalking all those account in Instagram. Thank you for this resource!
Hahaha. 😂
This post is so helpful for some extra embellishments to put in my bullet journal!
I’m no doodle, but this gives me inspiration and hope that I can achieve it!
Thanks for this blog post! I am always looking for more doodling inspiration. 🙂
Wow! I really loved your post. Thank you for including some accounts for me to follow on Instagram to get started on my doodling journey! I love adding a little doodle or two to my calligraphy.
Doodles do make everything just a little more fun 🥳
I have been trying to find good doodle advice. Thanks for sharing what you have found and how you go about doodling. I seriously need help with my doodles! Thanks for all of the accounts you provided to follow!
I’m glad it helped Gina. Make sure to follow some of those Instagram accounts or join a challenge.
Wow!! So many doodle accounts that I haven’t seen before. Thanks for the wonderful suggestions to follow!!
Thanks for your comment Amber.
Just started my first bullet journal this year and your instagram has been very helpful! Love you inspiring posts!
Congrats Marissa! Don’t forget the setup guide to help you get started. 😀
Thanks for putting this together! Love it!
You’re welcome!
I love the resources you provide.
Thanks Angela, enjoy. If you haven’t checked it out already, you’d love the VIP Vault.
Thank you for all the great ideas. Learning to make my bujo more creative & not just functional.
🙂
That’s what it’s all about. It’s nice to weave some personality into our journals. 😀
Thanks for this! I would like to add more doodles to my journal to make it look prettier and inviting.
No problem Pat. Thanks for stopping by!
I love these!
😁
Thanks so much for including my Planner Doodle books in this post!! I love all the doodle resources here! If you’re looking for another Instagram doodle challenge/doodle tutorial, also check out @drawwithmechallenge! – Eli (@productivestyle)
Of course Eli! I added your challenge to the list too 🙂
Thanks for providing all this great information!! I’m following a doodle challenge called “Oh So Cute Doodles”, it’s more on the beginner side which is perfect for me.
Thanks Sharon! I added that challenge to the list too, thanks for letting me know about it! 🙂